COURSE IN MILITARY NEUROPSYCHIATRY

We have outlined our thoughts and experiences with a special one-month semester in military neuropsychiatry as a section of a general seminar. We feel that this brief experimental course helped to refresh both military and civilian physicians on subjects of special practical importance during war time. We also recognize its failure, because of insufficient time, to provide certain essential clinical experiences. However, we believe that a six-weeks' course comprising both lectures and clinics in general and psychiatric hospitals in active medical centers and organized in close collaboration with governmental authorities would rapidly extend the advantages of special training to a large number of military and civilian physicians. We have proposed such a course.

The strategic importance of improved standards of detection and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders both among selectees and those already in service can hardly be exaggerated. Any practical method which will aid in such improvement, we believe, merits most serious consideration. These courses are short, practical and certainly offer at least one readily available means of broadening professional experience in the interests of greater military efficiency and more effective individual treatment, where the appropriate handling of large numbers living under special conditions of war is essential.